Houhai & Drum Tower Travel Guide

Lakeside hutongs, courtyard hotels, snack stalls and a busy bar strip.

• Best for: Nightlife, hutong walks and riverside cafés
• Vibe: Historic, touristy but atmospheric by day; buzzy at night
• Nearest station: Gulou Dajie (metro); short walk to the lakes
• Price level: $-$$$ (street food to boutique restaurants)
• To the main sights: Short walk to Beihai Park and Jingshan Park; near the Drum Tower and Bell Tower of Beijing
• Safety: Generally safe; watch belongings in busy bars

Great for:

• Evening drinks by the lake
• Hutong and courtyard photography
• Eating Beijing snacks and roast duck
• Staying in boutique hotels near central sights

Maybe skip it if:

• You want quiet, residential Beijing away from tourists
• You need frequent cheap late-night transport links

Centred on the Houhai lakes and the Drum Tower; Nanluoguxiang and the streets north of the Forbidden City form the main pedestrian spine. Gulou Dajie metro is an easy 5-15 minute walk depending on where you are around the lakes.

• Best time to visit: Late afternoon into evening for lakeside atmosphere and sunsets.
• Cash and apps: Have some cash but Alipay/WeChat are widely accepted in shops and bars.
• Boat rentals: Negotiate boat hire prices up front at the Houhai piers.
• Watch your bags: Keep valuables secure in crowded bars and on busy weekends.
• Quiet mornings: For peaceful hutong photos visit early before shops open.
• Language: Carry a map or the Chinese name of your hotel for taxis.

• Houhai Lakes boat rides: Hire a small boat or stroll the lakeside at sunset; the banks are lined with bars and food stalls.
• Drum Tower and Bell Tower of Beijing: Climb the Drum Tower for a compact view over the surrounding hutongs and lake.
• Beihai Park: Wander imperial gardens and waterfront pavilions a short walk west of the lakes.
• Jingshan Park: Head up the hill north of the Forbidden City for a panoramic city viewpoint.
• Nanluoguxiang: Explore the narrow lane for small boutiques, snacks and craft shops.
• Prince Gong’s Mansion: Visit the preserved Qing dynasty residence and gardens close to the lakes.

• Beijing Capital (PEK): Public transport: Airport Express to Dongzhimen, then transfer to the metro (Line 2) for Gulou Dajie; allow about 40-60 minutes and expect a multi-fare journey. Taxi/ride-hail: direct taxi to Houhai takes roughly 30-60 minutes depending on traffic; fares vary with distance and time of day.
• Beijing Daxing (PKX): Public transport: Daxing Airport Express to Caoqiao, then transfer to the city metro and change onto Line 2 for Gulou Dajie; total journey typically 55-75 minutes and requires two changes. Taxi/ride-hail: taxi is simplest, expect around 40-70 minutes depending on traffic and a higher fare than from PEK.
• From the main sights: From the Forbidden City/Palace Museum it’s a 20-35 minute walk north to the Drum Tower and Houhai; a short taxi ride is usually 5-15 minutes.

• On foot: The hutongs are best explored on foot; many lanes are too narrow for cars and most sights are within a 10-25 minute walk.
• Metro: Gulou Dajie station places you within easy walking distance; use the metro for longer trips across the city.
• Bikes and pedicabs: Shared bikes are plentiful; pedicabs and electric trikes offer short rides but agree a price beforehand.
• Taxis and ride-hail: Taxis are convenient late at night; show the Chinese name or map pin to avoid confusion.

Accommodation here ranges from small luxury boutique courtyards to affordable hostels squeezed into the hutongs. Expect converted siheyuan (courtyard) hotels and mid-range chain options clustered near Gulou and Nanluoguxiang. If you want nightlife on your doorstep choose a place by Houhai; for quieter mornings pick a lane one block back.

Luxury

• Hotel Du Palais Rouge: Boutique, upmarket hotel in a restored courtyard; stylish rooms and central location. $$$
• The Orchid Hotel: Small boutique hotel with courtyard character close to the Drum Tower. $$$

Mid-range

• Beijing Homekey Hotel: Mid-range chain hotel a short walk from the lakes; practical rooms and decent value. $$
• James Joyce Coffetel: Themed mid-range hotel near hutong streets offering straightforward rooms. $$
• Qinfu Hotel (Beijing South Luogu Lane Houhai Lake Branch): Comfortable mid-range hotel set close to Houhai and Nanluoguxiang. $$

Budget

• Peking International Youth Hostel: Popular budget hostel with dorms and private rooms close to the lakes. $
• Beijing Downtown Backpackers Travel & Accommodation: Backpacker hostel offering basic dorms and travel info; great for meeting other travellers. $
• City Walls: Budget guesthouse/hostel option within walking distance of the Drum Tower. $
• 235: Small budget guesthouse located in the wider hutong area. $

Houhai offers everything from classic Beijing snacks and Peking duck to international cafés and brewpubs. Head to Nanluoguxiang and the lanes around the lakes for street food and small restaurants; prices run from cheap street stalls ($) to mid-range restaurants ($$).

• Quanjude: Chinese, famed roast duck; tourist institution with mid-to-high prices. $$$
• Slowboat Brewing: Brewpub, craft beers and bar food in a casual lakeside setting. $$
• Enter Mian: Noodle, simple noodle shop popular with locals; inexpensive and quick. $
• Papà Danilo达尼罗叔叔·意大利面: Italian, pasta and Italian dishes in a casual setting; mid-price. $$
• The Raj: Indian, established Indian restaurant near the lakes; mid-price. $$
• Mr. Shi’s Dumplings: Chinese, dumplings and northern snacks; budget-friendly local eatery. $

Nightlife clusters along the western shore of Houhai and in the backstreets around Nanluoguxiang, expect lively bars, live music and beer gardens. Most venues open late into the night; cover charges are rare but drinks are pricier by the water. The scene suits casual drinkers and live-music fans rather than huge clubbing.

• Great Leap Brewing: Pub, popular craft brewery with a friendly crowd and locally brewed beers. $$
• No5 houhai: Bar, lakeside bar popular with tourists and expats; relaxed drinks atmosphere. $$
• The roots - Reggae bar: Bar, small reggae-tinged spot for live music and laid-back drinks. $$
• Garret: Bar, tucked-away bar on a hutong side street with a cosy vibe. $$
• Drum & Bell Bar: Pub, central spot near the Drum Tower offering drinks and a casual crowd. $$
• Red Ming Lab: Bar, lively bar close to the lakes; good for evening drinks. $$

Shopping here is small-scale: Nanluoguxiang’s souvenir and design boutiques, a few independent craft shops, plus one local mall and fresh markets. Souvenirs and handicrafts dominate; serious retail therapy is better served in larger shopping districts.

• Di’anmen Shopping Mall: Mall, convenient small mall near the lakes with a range of stores and services.
• Fruit Market: Marketplace, local market selling fruit and everyday produce; visit mornings.